Excommunicated priest Father Michael Rainer (Christopher Lee) heads a satanic cult called “The Children of the Lord” which hides its dark purpose of rearing innocent children in the ways of Satan behind a closed Catholic convent.
One of his charges, young nun Catherine Beddows (Nastassja Kinski) has a special destiny to fill. She was promised to the devil before her birth and chosen to resurrect a demon named Astaroth when she comes of age.
As Catherine’s 18th birthday approaches, her father, Henry (Denholm Elliott) contacts American occult expert and novelist John Verney (Richard Widmark) and asks for his help.
This was Hammer’s final horror film. It’s messy at times and downright offensive at others but there’s no denying it’s one of Hammer’s better films post-1970
Although some call it Hammer Films‘ final production, they did release The Lady Vanishes (1979) three years later and then ceased production. Hammer would be resurrected and resume production in 2008.
John Verney
Richard Widmark Father Michael Raynor
Christopher Lee Anna Fountain
Honor Blackman Henry Beddows
Denholm Elliott George de Grass
Michael Goodliffe Catherine Beddows
Nastassja Kinski Eveline de Grass
Eva Maria Meineke David Kennedy
Anthony Valentine Bishop
Derek Francis Margaret
Izabella Telezynska Kollde
Constantine Gregory Isabel
Anna Bentinck Sister Helle
Petra Peters German Matron
Irene Prador
